Maintenance-free plain bearings and lead screws in actuators in the automotive industry

Profile

• What was needed: iglidur plain bearings, dryspin lead screw technology
• Requirements: Long service life, no maintenance
• Industry: Automotive industry
• Success for the customer: The lubrication-free dryspin components  and iglidur products are completely lubrication-free and minimise costs by eliminating maintenance. Further advantages include low weight, corrosion resistance, vibration- and shock-absorbing properties and cost efficiency

Problem

Linearis actuators are used to adjust dampers in the ventilation area or to control sliders. Generally, they can implement all types of linear movement. Linearis drives are used frequently in painting lines in the automotive industry. The design of such linear units at the time allowed for the use of bronze lead screw nuts, bronze anti-rotation devices and axial needle bearings. For a new generation of products, the manufacturer was looking for new components and above all for innovative materials that would make the actuators even more reliable. Purely because eliminating maintenance on site is a key issue for actuators.

Solution

ARIS systematically used innovative materials and technologies to develop its new generation of valve adjusters. In a very conservative market, the new product was equipped with a plastic lead screw nut to replace the "old-fashioned" bronze nut. Various iglidur plain bearings and a dryspin high helix lead screw are also used in the actuator. The iglidur material can therefore optimise function at various points in the drive, generating considerable customer advantages. The lubrication-free bearings require no maintenance, minimising costs and ensuring a long service life. The components are also suitable for use in cleanrooms. They are low-vibration, vibration- and shock-absorbing, weight-optimised, corrosion-free, and cost-efficient.

A Linearis actuator is tested in continuous operation in a test rig setup.

The function of the actuator is tested in continuous operation, including with heavy contamination.